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Coolmath Pre-Algebra
Exponents lesson 5 - Exponent Rule #4   (page 1 of 3)
---- This pre-algebra lesson explains the fourth rule of exponents.

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Don't worry, there are only eight more rules.  Heh -- just kidding.  There are only a few more.  This one is just a little notation trick.
w^(-3) can be rewritten as 1 / w^3
1 / x^(-2) can be rewritten as x^2

This is a trick that works just for negative exponents!

Let's look at these as fractions...

w^(-3) / 1 = 1 / w^3 and 1 / x^(-2) = x^2 / 1

Anytime a guy with a negative exponent gets moved over the fraction line, the sign turns positive.

Here are the official rules:

Exponent Rule #4: 1 / a^(-n) = a^n and Exponent Rule #4: a^(-n) = 1 / a^n

Continued on the next page

 The printing and distribution and/or downloading of these lessons is strictly prohibited.
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